On January 7, 2025, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Dingri County, Xigaze City, Xizang. One year later, in the affected areas situated at altitudes exceeding 4,300 meters—where oxygen levels are low, construction materials are scarce, and building conditions are extremely challenging—local governments and supporting construction units worked in close coordination to achieve a remarkable milestone: the completion of reconstruction and resettlement within a single year.

The football field and basketball court in Senga Village, Chamco Township, Dingri County, Xigaze City, Xizang.

Stepping into Senga Village, Chamco Township, Dingri County, one is greeted by a vivid expanse of green turf—the newly constructed football field, which has also become one of the most vibrant hubs in the village. Under the bright afternoon sun of the highlands, villagers spontaneously organize into five-a-side teams, running, passing, and shooting on the pitch, as bursts of laughter and cheers rise continuously from the lively scene.

Lhapa Tsering is taking a penalty kick.

Lhapa Tsering is imitating Messi’s celebration.

Lhapa Tsering with his friends.

Fourteen-year-old Lhapa Tsering is a “consistent standout” on the football field. With sun-kissed skin and bright, determined eyes, he skillfully maneuvers past defenders with agile movements and strikes the ball with unwavering confidence. “My idol is Messi,” he says, wiping sweat from his brow. “I hope one day I can play on larger stages, just like him.” In Chamco Township, many children, like Lhapa Tsering, carry dreams of football in their hearts. As they run across the fields, they experience firsthand the rebuilding of their lives and the blossoming of hope. Football is more than just a sport—it has become a vibrant thread woven into the fabric of their childhood.